New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-06
BEECHER AT DEATHS DOOR.
STRICKEN WITH APOPLEXY AT HIS BROOK
LYN HOME.
LYING IN sEMr-COMATOsE CONDITIoN-LITTLE
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE PHYSICIANS HIS
CHILDREN SUMMONED TO HIS BEDSIDE
STATEMENTS BY DIR. HAMMOND AND
DIR. sEARLE-FREQUENT BUL.


CHILDREN SUMMONED TO HIS BEDSIDE
STATEMENTS BY DIR. HAMMOND AND
DIR. sEARLE-FREQUEST Bull
LETISs ISSUED.
The apoplectic stroke which the Rev. Henry
Ward Beechers physicians have long feared came
yesterday with sudden and startling effect. There
were, OF course, preliminary symptoms running
through Thursday and Friday, but no one recog-
nized in them anything but a trifing illness. and
the blow came at last with the force and horror of
an unexpected bolt. There is, In fact, little, If
any, hope Of the great preachers recovery. He may
linger till to-day or tomorrow. with even some
consciousness and show of life But beyond that
the doctors in attendance can at present give no
assurance
Mr.. Beecher has been i'll since Thursday. He had
been IN this city the greater part of the day and
went to his sons house in Brooklyn late IN the
afternoon with feeling of nausea. By the time
he reached the house. No. 124 Hicks-st, he seemed
quite prostrated. DR. w. s. Seare, who
has been his family physicion for years,
was summoned. In addition TO the
nausea and headache, the doctor found Mr..
Beeeher suffering from soreness about the throat
and chest to such an extent that he feared an at
tack Of pneumonia. T ese symptoms quickly
passed away and he grew better but when he
went to bed he complained of severe pain in his
head. After while he dropped of
to sleep, but awoke at intervals all
through the night. Toward morning he
vomted considerably. Mrs Beecher remained IN
constant attendance upon him all night
After daylight he began to improve, and by the
time the doctor called he was better. Through Fri
day his condition was favorable. quieting all alarm
felt by the family lie did not feel we'll enough to
get up, however. and was compelled to remain
away from the prayer-meetlng on Friday night.
Numerous inquiries werc made about his illness
after the meeting, but the family and the physl-
clan felt sure that everything would be all right
in n few days general alarm was caused.
Yesterday morning, however. the sudden change
for the worse took place. 1t of such an alarm
ing character that DR.. William A. Hammond. of
this city, was hastily summoned. He and DR..
SeaTe made an examination and declared that Mr..
Beechcr was suffering from an apopectic attack.
He lay in a semi-comatose condition, but was
reused by the efforts Of the doctors
Neither consciousness nor his unfalllng
sense of humor tad quite forsaken HIM.
"Can you raise your arm Mr. Beechcr = asked
DR.. Hammond.
Yes, l guess so,' came the low reply
How high can you raise il y
"Wel high enough to hit you. Doctor" said the
clergyman with feeble smile.
lie did not seem 10 be tuUcflnR any pam. w Heu
approached by Mrs Beecher and other members Of
the family he looked as though he recognized
them and knew what was gong on. Colonel WILL
ian c. Beecher. his son. asked him about noon II
he knew what the doctors were doing
"Oh. yes" he replied, " they are trying to make
ont If am going to get well or no,.'
NOW THE NEWS SPREAD.
The news Of Mr. Becchers alarming condition
was not made known until after noon, ard even
thea 1t travelled slowly. There have been 10
many groundless runlors about his health within
the last few years that few disposed to credit
what was sail about 1t yesterday. visit to the
house I'm Hicks-st, however. showed that
il was true. The first bulletin issued
at o'clock. IL pinned to the front door ard
stated that Mr. Beecher had an attack of apoplexy,
that he was suffering no pam and that bulletins
would DE- issucd hourly morning. noon and night.
The bulletin was signed by Drs Hammond and
Scarle. None of the family could be seen and the
reporters were told By the servant to call on As
sistnnt Pastor Halliday for information.
Mr. Halliday was seen at his residence in Orange
st. and seemed greatly cast down, though he en-
deavorcd to conceal his feelings. He had not
heard the result OF the physicians examination,
and when told that they had really declared it
case of apopiexy he turned away to hide his tears.
II was with great difficulty that he could control
his feelings sufficiently TO request the reporter to
go to tho physicians for all information
All the family mad been summoned early III the
day. Mr.. BeechePs son William, with his family.
came at once. hen Mr. Beechers brother, the
venerable DR.. Edward Beecher, who lives in Macon
ST.. Brooklyn, arrived. Mrs. Scoville Mr. Beechers
daughter the wife Of the Rev. samuel Scoyille, OF
Stamford, Conn, was away from home. but her
husband came on, reaching Brooklyn III the even
ing
BY this time almost everybody aware that
the Plymouth pastor was AT deaths door and crowds
began to nock toward vhe house. Only intimate
friends of the family such rs Thomas G.. Shearman,
s. V. White, the Rev. Dr. Charles IL. Hail.
Dr. Tamage, DR.. Thomas and Others
were admitted. When any one came out
he was at onco surrounded by crowd
OF eager Inquirers and friends. All had about the
same story to tell-that Mr.. Beccher was gradu-
ally growing weaker and that his recovery was u
matter Of grave doubt. In spite of the snow storm
wi lch set in about dusk people continued to inger
around the doorstep. anXiously waiting to near
some favorable word.
Amor G those who called at the house ana tound
admission to the sick room. which is on the second
floor were Mira Laura G.. Holloway, the Kew. Dr.
thomas the Key. DR.: r. +. Alsog, Z. H.; Van ngen
aud Mir and Mrs. HALLIDAY. When Dr. 1alinage
came out he was greatly Affected. -,
The kew. Mr. Scovillc, Mr. Beecher son-n-law,
soid TO n TRIBUAE reporter: " Mr.. Beecher Will
undoubtedly live until morning, and the doctors
do not fear any immediate change. lie responds
10 pressure of the hand ana points 10 opJects III
the room that he wants lie also drinks freely aud
takes hls medicine without difficulty
shortly after Colonel Henry b. Beecher came ont
and bought paper. but when asked about MS
fathers condition he merely said: Heis still un-
conscious and Will live until morning"
Some idea of the gradual change that TOOK pace
IN the patients condition may be inferred from the
bulletins. Tho first. issued at O'Clock, simply
stated that Mr.. Beecher had Oeen stricken down
with apoplcxy The others are as follows
c1hNr Reecber il still uncons cous There is appar
ant change in his condition COLONEL BRECHER
6.3O-No change In Mr.. Beechers condition ,,
e4J-No change In Mr.. Beecher's condition por,
s3O-Mr Beeclcr lie does not suffer from
any pain There 10 no change W. o. oEAHLI ~ ~
a,jO-No change In Mr.. Beechers condition -
Dr. Searle visited the patient at 1890 o'ciocklast
night and found HIM sinking. Ills pulse when NJ